AGARTALA:
Tripura’s Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma, on July 6, claimed that ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas; Sabka Prayas’, a popular slogan of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is not a political slogan but rather originated from the ancient scriptures of India.
“This slogan has a connection with Indian culture,” Varma said, addressing the birth anniversary celebrations of Jana Sangh ideologue Syama Prasad Mukherjee at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala.
Varma said that unlike the political ideologies of other parties, BJP’s slogan originated from the Rig Veda and describes Indian culture in the most appropriate way.
“Its essence has also been mentioned in the Rig Veda. It existed in our culture for over 5,000 years. The core of this slogan is founded in the old cultural scriptures. Not left, not right – the only principle is nationalism. And Syama Prasad Mukherjee believed in this principle,” he said.
The deputy chief minister further said that many may not be aware that Mukherjee had a close relationship with Tripura.
“There was a time when there was a deep conspiracy to connect Tripura with Pakistan. Then Mukherjee along with Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya of Tripura and presided over a meeting of the Hindu Mahasabha. There are several documents about this. The Kings of Tripura built the first Hindu temple in London. The new generation needs to know the true history of India. Our next generation should be aware of India’s rich cultural heritage and all the key developments that took place in history,” he said.
Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury also spoke at the event and discussed Mukherjee’s contribution to the country and his views on Kashmir as an inclusive part of India.